(a) The perinatal resource coordinating group (PRCG) in each perinatal planning area (PPA) shall submit for approval to the department an initial perinatal plan concerning the provision of perinatal care for women of child-bearing age and infants within the PPA. The plan shall be submitted in a format specified by the department.
(b) Each PRCG shall submit an annual revised plan in a format specified by the department.
(c) The initial plan and any revisions shall be subject to approval by the department, contingent upon documentation of the following:
  (1) individuals representing the geographic and demographic diversity of all counties within the PPA have been involved in the development and implementation of the plan;
  (2) individuals representing all perinatal care facilities have been given an opportunity to participate in the planning and implementation process, through participation in either the PRCG or the perinatal network(s);
  (3) mechanisms are in place for communication and coordination of services among the PPA perinatal network(s);
  (4) the plan includes:
    (A) a list of participants in the PRCG and the perinatal network(s);
    (B) a list of identified strengths and unmet needs of the PPA based on analysis of the PPA data, registered complaints, and discussions with consumers, community-based support entities, and perinatal providers;
    (C) a list of goals and objectives to improve the quality of perinatal care based upon the identified strengths and unmet needs in the PPA and the health outcomes measures referenced in §37.258 of this title (relating to Data Analysis and Progress Report);
    (D) mechanisms for completing referrals and returning reports of care provided among the perinatal care providers;
    (E) protocols for exchange of confidential patient records among participating providers in the perinatal planning area;
    (F) descriptions of emergency transport capability requirements and protocols;
    (G) protocols for at-risk and emergency maternal and neonatal transfer from one hospital to another for the purpose of receiving more intensive or specialized care;
    (H) protocols for return transfer of a pregnant woman and/or her infant from a referral center to the original referring hospital or to a local hospital for continuing care;
    (I) triage criteria for appropriate level referrals; and
    (J) mechanisms and protocols for:
      (i) conducting high-risk screening and counseling guidance;
      (ii) increasing community awareness of the existence of the perinatal plan(s) and the importance of early and preventive care for women of child-bearing age and infants;
      (iii) increasing consumer access to the perinatal network(s);
      (iv) continuing improvement of the quality of perinatal care; and
      (v) community-based and area-wide perinatal health education, health promotion, and dissemination of parenting information.

Source Note: The provisions of this §37.257 adopted to be effective July 18, 1999, 24 TexReg 5196